OFFICIAL: Watford announce Claudio Ranieri as new manager

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 4 Oct 2021 17:21 BST
• 3 min read

Watford have announced Claudio Ranieri as the club’s new manager, with the Italian signing a two-year deal at the club.

The Hornets sacked Xisco Munoz after a 1-0 defeat to Leeds, though the newly promoted club remain outside the bottom three after seven games of the Premier League season.

A statement on the club's official website announced the appointment:

"Watford FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as the club’s new Head Coach, on a two-year contract.

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"The Italian arrives at Vicarage Road boasting a wealth of experience in charge of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Premier League, Coppa Italia and Copa del Rey titles among his managerial highlights.

"Having enjoyed a storied 13-year-long playing career that featured spells at Roma, Catanzaro, Catania and Palermo in his homeland, Ranieri made his name in management with Cagliari at the turn of the 1990s.

"Ranieri will be joined at Watford by Assistant Coaches Paolo Benetti and Carlo Cornacchia, as well as Fitness Coach Carlo Spignoli. His first match in charge of the Hornets will be at home to Liverpool on Saturday October 16 (12.30pm KO)."

"Welcome to Watford, Claudio!"

Tinkerman returns – Ranieri back for more in the Premier League

The hire marks a return to the Premier League for Ranieri, with Watford now becoming the fourth English club on the Italian’s CV.

The 69-year-old had his first taste of the English top flight in 2000 when he took over Chelsea, spending four years at the London club before Jose Mourinho’s arrival.

But it was his return to England some 11 years later that will be forever remembered, as he took over Leicester City in 2015 and guided them to a stunning Premier League title 12 months later.

Ranieri was sacked by the Foxes before the end of the following season in 2016/17 before another stint in London, this time a brief stay at Fulham in the 2018/19 season.

Nicknamed the Tinkerman, Ranieri has also managed the likes of Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Inter, while his last job was at Serie A outfit Sampdoria.